Prestigious scholarship transforms students into global leaders
Six students - four male, two female - stand against a rich blue backdrop. They are wearing black suits and dresses, smiling. From left to right: Madeleine McWlliam; Cooper Crellin; Callum Burke; Matthew Dutaillis; Samantha Morris; and Sai Muthukumar.

The six UTS scholars attended the NCP Scholarship Awards Ceremony in Canberra on Tuesday evening. From left to right: Madeleine McWilliam; Cooper Crellin; Callum Burke; Matthew Dutaillis; Samantha Morris; and Sai Muthukumar. Photo: Hwei-See Kay.

Six UTS students have been selected for the prestigious 2024 New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholarship program, with resumes that boast academic excellence and a unique breadth of volunteering experience.

What began as a pilot project in 2014 has since grown into the most sought-after scholarship program for Australian undergraduates, offered each year to around 120 students across the country.

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provides grants of up to $87,000 to selected scholars to undertake an exciting program composed of university study and an internship in the Indo-Pacific region.

Each UTS awardees’ plan for their scholarship is unique in its design and mission, ranging from cybersecurity challenges to Australia-China business relations and recycling in Vietnam.

However, what unites them is a shared track record of community leadership and engagement, proving the power of people-to-people connections. 

I’ve learnt the power I have with my access to a platform. I take this seriously; I’ve seen the impact it has on communities and individuals.

Madeleine McWilliam
2024 NCP scholar

Law student Sai Muthukumar has completed the BUILD, SOUL and Brennan Justice and Leadership programs at UTS, totaling an impressive 300 hours of community service. He plans to bring this dedication to Indonesia to learn from and contribute to the development of the nation’s intellectual property law.

Madeleine McWilliam, who will complete her program in South Korea, has learned everything she knows about multimedia content creation while volunteering at FBi Radio. Doing conscious work to tell stories less told is something she speaks of passionately.

“I’ve learnt the power I have with my access to a platform. I take this seriously; I’ve seen the impact it has on communities and individuals, and [I] do everything to be a positive influence [and] amplify marginalised voices,” she says.

Cooper Crellin has worked extensively with the NSW State Emergency Service (SES), a government initiative dedicated to assisting communities during natural and man-made disasters. This experience has not only inspired his mission for his program in Fiji and Tuvalu, but also led to the discovery of two important role models in his life; Peter Kaye AM ESM and Sharon Buckley are former and current unit commanders for the SES, respectively.  

“They are both fantastic leaders and I hope to one day be able to embody some of the traits that they exemplify,” he says.

Meet the 2024 scholars

Callum Burke

A headshot of Callum Burke from the chest up. Callum has brown hair and is wearing a black blazer with white collared shirt. The background is an out of focus bright blue sky with palm trees.

Studying: Bachelor of Computing Science (Honours)
Country: Singapore

Callum plans to intern at a leading tech company and seek answers to mitigating the increasing risks of cyberattacks in Singapore.

In addition to studying Cybersecurity at Nanyang Technological University, Callum will also take up Mandarin and Malay. His passion for language studies began with Esperanto, an auxiliary international language, and has evolved into a unique access point for his cybersecurity interests.

 

The more I study languages, the more I can understand both people and the computer.

Callum Burke
2024 NCP scholar

Cooper Crellin

A headshot of Cooper Crellin from the shoulders up. Cooper has dark brown hair and is wearing a navy blazer with a stripey blue tie. The background is an out of focus green hedge.

Studying: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice
Country: Fiji and Tuvalu

Cooper says his mission comes in two parts: learning and contributing.

He’ll first study marine engineering and natural disaster risk reduction at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji, before moving to Tuvalu. There, he’ll complete an internship and contribute his knowledge to the communities most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. 

 

I believe there is no better way to learn about the effects of climate change than by studying and interning in regions that are affected by it the most.

Cooper Crellin
2024 NCP scholar

Matthew Dutaillis

A headshot of Matthew Dutaillis from the chest up. Matthew has cropped brown hair and is wearing a dark grey blazer with a white and blue patterned shirt. The background is plain grey.

Studying: Bachelor of Laws Bachelor of International Studies
Country: China

A passionate rugby player, Matthew is eager to join the local team in Shanghai.

Matthew has been learning Mandarin since he was young and is determined to form a strong network within Shanghai’s business and legal sectors while undertaking study and an internship. He hopes this will translate into a unique skillset for tackling cross-jurisdictional Australian-Chinese issues.

 

 

I hope this experience will help push me out of my comfort zone by fully immersing myself in all the opportunities and experiences living in Shanghai has to offer.

Matthew Dutaillis
2024 NCP scholar

Madeleine McWilliam

A headshot of Madeleine McWilliam from the shoulders up. Madeleine has red hair and is wearing a light pink collared shirt. The background is out of focus, featuring greenery and a brick wall.

Studying: Bachelor of Communication
Country: South Korea

Madeleine has been working as a multidisciplinary performer for almost a decade and intends on bringing her passion for creative storytelling to South Korea in full force. 

She plans to study at the prestigious Korea University in Seoul and complete two internships in journalism and research. Madeleine says she hopes to facilitate exchanges of art, stories and ideas between South Korea and Australia.
 

 

I believe stories have the power to transform and enrich lives, and ultimately this is the mission for my program: platforming and engaging with people to help share their stories.

Madeleine McWilliam
2024 NCP scholar

Samantha Morris

A headshot of Samantha Morris from the shoulders up. Samantha has shoulder-length curly black hair and is wearing a light blue tank top. The background is plain.

Studying: Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Medical Science
Country: Vietnam

Samantha will call Hanoi home while completing her studies in Software Engineering at VinUniversity before embarking on an internship at DUYTAN Plastic Recycling Company, an organisation that’s revolutionising waste management in South East Asia.

She hopes this practical experience will equip her with the skills needed to face Vietnam and Australia’s recycling challenges head on.

 

I am determined to develop the ability to engage in empathy-driven dialogue with others and strengthen intercultural identities and competencies between Australia and Vietnam, especially in STEM fields.

Samantha Morris
2024 NCP scholar

Sai Muthukumar

A headshot of Sai Muthukumar from the shoulders up. Sai has cropped dark brown hair and is wearing a navy blazer with a navy tie. The background is plain grey.

Studying: Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Country: Indonesia

Indonesia’s digital economy is flourishing, and such rapid technological growth requires proper regulation. Sai is looking forward to delving into the discipline of intellectual property law at Universitas Indonesia and discovering how nations can form a united front in the digital world.

He’ll couple his study with a language program and two internships, with one being completed at the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

 

It’s imperative for Australia to share its knowledge of intellectual property law to begin fostering long-term business relations. I strive to be at the forefront of this movement.

Sai Muthukumar
2024 NCP scholar

Byline

Ali Baker
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Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.